History Main / AllAsiansKnowMartialArts

* ''Film/RedSonja'': Sonja learns sword fighting from the Grand Master, who is East Asian along with the rest of his students. Even little Prince Tarn knows some moves (though being a child, there is a lot he still has to learn).

It should be noted, that while martial arts indeed have more prominence (however even this is debatable) in Asia, than in Europe, it was at least partially caused by significantly more restriction, historically put by many Asian cultures on weapon ownership. In many Asian countries, peoples outside warrior or noble classes were historically forbidden to carry weapons e.
ven for self-defense. On the contrary, in Europe there wasn't many such limitations, so anyone interested in defending himself would more likely train with a blade, than with bare hands.

It should be noted, that while martial arts indeed have more prominence (however even this is debatable) in Asia, than in Europe, it was at least partially caused by significantly more restriction, historically put by many Asian cultures on weapon ownership. In many Asian countries, peoples outside warrior or noble classes were historically forbidden to carry weapon even for self-defense. On the contrary, in Europe there wasn't many such limitations, so anyone interested in defending himself would more likely train with blade, than with bare hands.

* During the 1970's kung-fu craze, it was established that Fin Fang Foom knows giant monster-sized kung-fu that he can use against other giant monsters. Because he's a Chinese dragon, you see. Or at least, an alien dragon that hung out in China.
* The current series of ''ComicBook/JonahHex'' gave his wife Mei Ling kung fu skills despite her never displaying any during the original run of the comics.
* In the very first issue of ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'', the Japanese heroine Doctor Light manages to take down a female terrorist with some martial arts moves that impress ComicBook/MartianManhunter. This is despite the fact that she's a scientist in her civilian identity, and her superpowers are not physical in nature.

* In ''ComicBook/TheOtherHistoryOfTheDCUniverse'', Katana admits that she was never actually given any serious martial arts training (with her main athletic background being in gymnastics) before starting her career as an assassin, but got labeled a "master of martial arts" anyway, because it was the early 80s and that was the only thing anyone knew about Japanese people. She didn't bother to correct anyone, as it made her sound more intimidating.
* Originally averted in ''ComicBook/RichardDragonKungFuFighter'' where ComicBook/LadyShiva's sister Carolyn could have rescued herself from her murderer if she had any martial arts training. Later retcons played it straight with Carolyn having skills to match her sister's prior to her murder by David Cain who felt Sandra was holding back for her sister.
* Hay Lin from ''ComicBook/{{WITCH}}'' is the Guardian of Kandrakar with Chinese ancestry, and the one who is shown proficient in some unspecified martial art. That's before her crash course into Capoeira.
* Averted with a LampshadeHanging in the ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} storyline ''Goodbye Chinatown'', when streetwise tagalong kid Yuen Yee ends up in the middle of a pitched battle between Wolvie, an ancient kung fu master, a talking gorilla, and a bunch of ninjas, yakuza thugs and giant dragons.

* Discussed and subverted in ''ComicBook/YTheLastMan''. Shortly after the three main characters start traveling together, Yorick mentions that Dr Mann has less to worry about than him. She asks if he thinks her being Asian automatically makes her some kind of martial arts master; he just meant she looked "pretty ripped."

It should be noted, that while martial arts indeed have more prominence (hovewer even this is debatable) in Asia, than in Europe, it was at least partially caused by significantly more restriction, historically put by many Asian cultures on weapon owhership. In many Asian countries, peoples outside warrior or noble classes were historically forbidden to carry weapon even for self-defense. On the contrary, in Europe there wasn't many such limitations, so anyone interested in defending himself would more likely train with blade, than with bare hands.

* An ''Series/TheOReillyFactor'' man-on-the-street segment filmed in New York's Chinatown and aired in October 2016 set off controversy for its use of pretty much every Asian stereotype imaginable; at one point the interviewer asks an Asian man if he knows [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=134&v=PJmnLzw8NA4 karate ]].

[[folder:Real Life]]
* In China the children are taught tai chi in their physical education class (P.E.). In Japan, they do kendo in their physical education class (P.E.) as well. Additionally, many high schools in Japan have clubs for kendo (fencing), kyudo (archery), naginatajutsu (halberd/spear), UsefulNotes/{{Karate}} and UsefulNotes/{{Judo}}; these clubs are more like sports teams than clubs though.
** Same with the Philippines and arnis/kali, though this is mandatory. Some schools specialize in fencing, karate, judo and UsefulNotes/{{Taekwondo}}.
** Korea has similar clubs of kenpo and taekwondo, among other martial arts. It should also be noted that young men must enlist in the military which means a significant number of citizens have received combat training.
** Taiwan and Singapore also practice nation-wide compulsary military conscription. Its not unusual then that every male citizen has had *some* hand-to-hand combat training, formal or otherwise.
* The first time an Asian-American woman (Caroline Hsu) was elected Rose Queen, for the 2002 Tournament of Roses parade, all the commentators made sure to mention that she was a taekwondo black belt.
* The basic concept of the defunct French GameShow "Qui est qui?" ("Who's who?") was this: four guests went on stage, and the game's candidate had to guess things about their life. One such candidate had to guess "Who's a martial arts pracitioner?", and out of the four guests, there was a scrawny East Asian-French and a tall and muscular African-French. The candidate picked the East Asian-French... while it was actually the African-French who practiced martial arts.
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* ''ComicBook/YTheLastMan'' - Shortly after the three main characters start traveling together, Yorick mentions that Dr Mann has less to worry about than him. She asks if he thinks her being Asian automatically makes her some kind of martial arts master; he just meant she looked "pretty ripped." "Oh. Thank you. I used to be into pilates."

* ''Film/ThePrincess'': The films East Asian characters (or [[FantasyCounterpartCulture fantasy equivalent]]) Linh and Khai, her uncle, both know martial arts. Linh instructs the princess (portrayed by a white American) and gives her equal skills.

* The basic concept of the defunct French GameShow "Qui est qui?" ("Who's who?") was this: four guests went on stage, and the game's candidate had to guess things about their life. One such candidate had to guess "Who's a martial arts pracitioner?", and out of the four guests, there was a scrawny East Asian-French and a tall and muscular African-French. The candidate picked the East Asian-French... while it was actually the African-French.

* ''Film/ThePrincess'': The films East Asian characters (or [[FantasyCounterpartCulture fantasy equivalent]]) Linh and Kahl, her uncle, both know martial arts. Linh instructs the princess (portrayed by a white American) and gives her equal skills.

-->'''Ah-Mah:''' Well for starters, karate is ''Japanese''. And secondly, why do people always ask if Asians know karate? First thing you ask is "What are you?", second thing "Do you know karate?". So, I'm Chinese and [[StereotypeReactionGag yes I know karate]]. '''[[UpToEleven AND TWENTY-SIX OTHER FORMS OF HAND TO HAND COMBAT!!]]'''

-->'''Ah-Mah:''' Well for starters, karate is ''Japanese''. And secondly, why do people always ask if Asians know karate? First thing you ask is "What are you?", second thing "Do you know karate?". So, I'm Chinese and [[StereotypeReactionGag yes I know karate]]. '''AND TWENTY-SIX OTHER FORMS OF HAND TO HAND COMBAT!!'''